Actor Lee Jeong-ho Discusses Cancer Battle and Hiatus from Acting After Being Rejected by Song Hye-kyo

Lee Jeong-ho’s Journey: From Child Actor to Health Battles

On December 3, actor Lee Jeong-ho made an appearance on the YouTube channel “Recent Updates Olympics.” This former child star, who has an impressive portfolio of over 200 works, opened up about his life after stepping away from the spotlight eight years ago following his last role in a daily drama.

The Struggles and Sacrifices of an Early Career

Reflecting on his past roles, Lee mentioned, “The characters I portrayed often highlighted the protagonist’s qualities, often at my own expense. People either felt sympathy or could see parts of themselves in my struggles.” He candidly noted his experience with rejection in the industry, stating that even prominent actresses like Song Hye-kyo, Lee Yo-won, and Sung Yu-ri turned him down during casting.

Child Stardom and Financial Realities

When questioned about his earnings as a child actor, Lee explained, “Success depended heavily on timing. There was a cap on how much child actors could earn, which meant I couldn’t excel financially beyond that limit.”

Health Challenges and a Sudden Life Change

Lee shared the deeply personal reason for his hiatus from acting, revealing, “During a routine health check-up, doctors found something alarming, leading to further testing.” He described the moment he learned about a significant tumor near his pancreas: “Hearing that news left me in shock.”

The timing was particularly challenging, as his youngest daughter had just been born, and his wife was in postpartum care. “Receiving that call about my cancer diagnosis was overwhelming,” he recalled.

A Fight for Survival

After undergoing a series of tests, Lee was confronted with grim statistics: “The survival rate was just 20-30%. The doctors couldn’t even meet my gaze.” Driven by love for his daughter, he persevered, asking the medical team, “Is there any chance? Please try.” Following this, they agreed to perform surgery.

After surgery, which involved the removal of several organs, Lee also opted for chemotherapy as a precautionary measure. He described the grueling side effects: “I experienced severe vomiting and hair loss, but I completed the treatment.” All while continuing to work in acting for financial stability. However, just before a company dinner, another shocking discovery emerged—cancer had spread to his liver.

Triumph Over Adversity

Despite the dire circumstances, Lee’s chemotherapy journey was met with success. “Four months later, I was declared cancer-free, and two years ago, I embraced a new lease on life,” he shared, adding, “Now, I’m involved in teaching acting and embracing life fully.”

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